Lewis Hamilton hurtles into a barrier at 175mph... but he still hopes to race

By CHRISTOPHER LEAKE

Last updated at 09:01 22 July 2007

British race ace Lewis Hamilton miraculously escaped injury when his Formula One car crashed at 175mph during qualifying for the European Grand Prix.

And, after getting the all-clear from doctors, the 22-year-old told relieved fans he was ready to step straight back into his car.

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He said "It was a bit unfortunate but I am feeling fine. I'm very lucky that I haven't got any bruises - although I'm sure I'll wake up with some."

And he added: "I feel fine for the race, so fingers crossed."

His boss Ron Dennis, head of the McLaren team, confirmed: "He is absolutely fine, all the scans are fine, and at this moment in time there is no medical reason why he can't race.

"He has no bruising, he has no damage anywhere, he is not sore anywhere."

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Hamilton, 22, who is leading the world championship, hurtled into a barrier when a tyre burst. After his McLaren came to a standstill at the Nurburgring in Germany, he bravely struggled out of the car and safety workers ran to his aid.

Clearly stunned, he sat down unsteadily as medical staff attached a neck brace as a precaution and took him on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

Despite the shock of his crash, brave Hamilton managed to give a thumbs-up sign from the stretcher to millions of fans around the world watching the qualifying session on TV.

Hamilton, already a multi-millionaire from his F1 triumphs this season, was put on a drip and taken to the track's medical centre. He was given painkillers and 13 minutes later was taken by ambulance at high speed to hospital for tests for internal injuries. He was in a private room at a military hospital in Koblenz where he underwent computerised scans. German reports said he had brain scans.

Former World Champion Michael Schumacher and several other F1 drivers contacted Hamilton to wish him well.

Mr Dennis said he would have more tests before a decision is taken on whether he is fit enough to race in the Grand Prix.

He said: "The procedure is he will have a night's sleep and he will have a final check.

"He will have a mandatory check that [>F1 doctor] Gary Hartstein makes. It is a procedural thing."

The drama came as Hamilton, from Tewin, Hertfordshire, approached the circuit's Schumacher S-bend with five minutes left of the final 15-minute qualifying session.

As he entered the turn, the tyre could be seen deflating and the McLaren carried straight on, careering over a gravel trap before ending up a crumpled wreck against a barrier.

It is believed the blow-out was caused by a faulty wheel-nut gun used in a pit stop, which left the right front wheel loose. Mr Dennis said: "It was not the mechanic's fault. It was a gun fault."